Ocean Frontiershttp://ocean-frontiers.org
A New Era in Ocean StewardshipWed, 07 Dec 2016 15:04:52 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.7Announcing Ocean Frontiers III & Final Regional Ocean Planshttp://ocean-frontiers.org/announcing-ocean-frontiers-iii/
http://ocean-frontiers.org/announcing-ocean-frontiers-iii/#respondWed, 07 Dec 2016 15:04:52 +0000http://ocean-frontiers.org/?p=5108Drum roll, please! Ocean Frontiers III is nearing completion and will begin screening in February 2017. We’ve traveled extensively along the Eastern seaboard; from the U.S. Coast Guard and Navy bases in Hampton Roads, Virginia, to a one-room island school house off the Maine coast, and many points in between, to interview key leaders in the ocean planning effort.

The ocean planning process has opened a window to show us what is possible when people with different interests work together to achieve a common goal. In this case, the goal is ocean stewardship and growing our blue economy throughthe Northeast and Mid-Atlantic ocean plans.

Ocean Frontiers III: Leaders in Ocean Stewardship & the New Blue Economy is a powerful film that chronicles our efforts to plan for a healthy, safe, sustainable future. It’s a compelling combination looking at the intersection of national security, maritime commerce, fishing, and recreation, plus expanding industries such as offshore wind energy and aquaculture, coupled with scientific exploration and discovery. Watch the trailer

Show Ocean Frontiers III in Your Community!

As the new ocean plans move toward implementation, help build momentum and public support by setting up a screening of Ocean Frontiers III in 2017. Show the film in your community – at a monthly meetup, at your local library, at a lunchtime screening in your office, and in the classroom. Now more than ever we need to share these inspiring stories of our leaders who are reaching out across sectors to work together for the sake of our ocean and ocean economies. Sign up to pre-order the film.

We are hosting a special preview of segments from Ocean Frontiers III at the Restore America’s Estuaries and The Coastal Society Summit in New Orleans on December 13th, 10:30am-noon. Join us there to watch the new film and hear ocean planning leaders discuss implementation of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic ocean plans.

NORTHEAST AND MID-ATLANTIC OCEAN PLANS READY TO BE IMPLEMENTED

It’s official, the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic ocean plans have been finalized and are ready to be put to use. From Maine to Virginia, and seaward 200 miles, an unprecedented collaboration of state and federal agencies and Native American tribes are now working with new ocean data and extensive stakeholder input to keep national security strong, the economy growing, and to protect vital ocean habitat.

At the foundation of each ocean plan is the latest information on uses of the sea, gathered in one place and readily available to all—a one-stop shop known as the regional data portals. More than 5,000 data layers are now in one place, bringing together the most current information on shipping, national security, fishing, marine life and habitats, recreation, as well as aquaculture and wind energy, to name a few. Visit the Northeast Ocean Data Portal and the Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data Portal.

Through the Ocean Frontiers film series we have followed ocean planning in North America from its early days. We interviewed ocean planning pioneers from across the U.S. and Canada, and witnessed the first state ocean plans help reduce impacts on endangered whales and reduce conflict among stakeholders. In the quest for healthy oceans, robust ocean economies, and a sustainable future, the ocean plans represent an important step forward in how we make decisions about our oceans. You can learn more about the ocean plans by visiting their websites: Northeast Ocean Plan and Mid-Atlantic Regional Ocean Action Plan.

Public involvement remains a critical component. We will continue to share updates as the ocean plans are implemented.

Thanks for all you do for the oceans!
Karen Anspacher-Meyer
Executive Director, Green Fire Productions

Slated for release in February 2017, Ocean Frontiers III: Leaders in Ocean Stewardship & the New Blue Economy puts a spotlight on the United States’ first-ever regional ocean plans in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.

The film premieres on February 8, 2017 at the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center in Virginia Beach, VA. Find out more about the premiere and other public events on the Ocean Frontierscalendar. Sign up now to pre-order the film for hosting your own screening in your community, at work or in the classroom!

Ocean Frontiers III chronicles our efforts to plan for a healthy, safe, sustainable future. It’s a compelling combination looking at the intersection of national security, maritime commerce, fishing, and recreation, plus expanding industries such as offshore wind energy and aquaculture, coupled with scientific exploration and discovery.

Public comments from industry and local government leaders were largely positive. An attendee spoke in favor of the process. “I’m optimistic; I want this process to succeed.” Another attendee from Oregon spoke of the state’s support for it, “Local government and stakeholders in Oregon have embraced ocean planning.”

Oregon natives hope that the planning process will build off of their successes and add to collaboration. “In Oregon, we’ve had good success with collaboration between fishermen and other industries, such as submarine cables and wave energy developers. Ocean planning will add to the existing collaboration between industries.”

The West Coast RPB shared about its work developing the West Coast Data Portal, reaching out to stakeholders, and exploring a sub-regional approach to this very large ecosystem that spans the entire West Coast. It is no small undertaking, but we look forward to the next steps.

Thank you to the Tribal, State and Federal representatives from California, Oregon, and Washington for moving ocean planning forward!

Yesterday, there were announcements from both the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. In the Northeast, the Regional Planning Body submitted its final Ocean Plan to the National Ocean Council for review and approval. This submission follows on the heels of a period of public comment and revision. The plan could be approved as early as November 18th! (Read Surfrider’s Coastal blog for more details on the Northeast Regional Ocean Plan.)

From the Mid-Atlantic region, 35 members of of Congress from both houses signed letters to President Obama in support of the Mid-Atlantic Ocean Plan.

The public comment period on the Mid-Atlantic Regional Ocean Plan concluded September 6th and the comments are now under review by the planning body. We look forward to the final version of the plan later this year.

We join these 35 members of Congress in applauding the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Regional Planning Bodies and all who contributed to the Ocean Action Plans. We look forward to their implementation so that we can realize a healthy ocean ecosystem and advance sustainable ocean uses.

Welcome to the new, blue economy of the 21st century. An unprecedented collaboration of federal and state agencies and Native American tribes have developed regional ocean plans. Based on new ocean data and extensive stakeholder input, the intent of the plans is to keep national security strong, the economy growing, and protect vital ocean habitat.

September 6th Deadline for Public Comments on Draft Mid-Atlantic Ocean Plan

One week remains for you to comment on the draft Mid-Atlantic Ocean Action Plan! Everyone is encouraged to provide input, including those outside the region. All comments made by September 6th will be considered by the Mid-Atlantic Regional Planning Body as they prepare the final version of the plan this fall. Public input on this ground-breaking US regional ocean plan is critical to ensure it is as strong as possible for implementation in 2017.

NRDC Petition to Protect the Mid-Atlantic’s Important Ocean Places

Check out NRDC’s online petition calling on the Mid-Atlantic Regional Planning Body to identify areas offshore that are important for the health of marine life. Already over 8000 people have signed it!

Petition on Mid-Atlantic Ocean Action Plan from Surfrider Foundation

Surfrider Foundation has an online petition to the Mid-Atlantic Regional Planning Body members asking them to include Ecologically Rich Areas (ERAs) in the final Ocean Action Plan – in order to help protect and enhance ocean health for generations to come. Please sign by September 6th!

July 25th Deadline for Public Comments on Draft Northeast Ocean Plan

Only seven days remain for you to comment on the draft Northeast Ocean Plan! Everyone is encouraged to provide input, including those outside the region. All comments made by July 25th will be considered by the Northeast Regional Planning Body as they prepare the final version of the plan later this summer. Public input on this first-ever US regional ocean plan is critical to ensure it is as strong as possible for implementation in 2017.

Insights and Actions from the Conservation Community

The thought of reading and assimilating this 198-page ocean plan can be daunting! So we asked our partners in the conservation community, who have been following the development of this ocean plan, to share their thoughts on it with all of you. Read on if you’d like to consider them as you prepare your own comments.

Statement from the Conservation Law Foundation (CLF)

“The creation of the first-ever Regional Ocean Plan in New England is a major milestone in the management of New England’s cherished ocean waters. Effective implementation of the plan will have lasting positive impacts on our region’s ocean and all of us who depend on it.

As you review the plan, please consider these points:

Identify and Conserve Important Ecological Areas: Important Ecological Areas (IEAs) are areas that are critical to the long-term health of New England’s ocean wildlife and ecosystem. Knowing the location of these special places enables ocean resource managers, businesses and stakeholders to make better decisions about how we use and conserve our ocean. IEAs (including all five components of the IEA framework) can and must be identified, mapped and included in the Ocean Data Portal by the end of 2016, along with clear agency commitments to conserve these vitally important areas. Protecting our ecologically and economically valuable ocean wildlife and habitat should be a best practice.

Strengthen and Clarify Agency Commitments: The final plan should include strong agency commitments to implement the plan’s provisions to the fullest extent consistent with the law. The plan should provide greater detail on how agencies will implement intergovernmental coordination best practices.

Provide for Meaningful Public Engagement: Public engagement is critical to the long-term of the ocean plan. The final plan must provide clear and detailed provisions for ongoing public engagement in plan implementation. As soon as possible, the Regional Planning Body should create a Stakeholder Liaison Committee that will support and inform the plan going forward.

Understand and Plan for Climate Change: A comprehensive understanding of the vulnerability of our regional ocean ecosystem to climate change is imperative to this plan’s success. The final plan should include strong provisions for collaborative research on the impacts of climate change, and future ocean planning should be conducted through this important lens. The Regional Planning Body should commit to building a comprehensive climate change information base as a theme component on the Ocean Data Portal.

Because the ocean is and will continue to be a source of recreation, livelihood, and cultural significance for our region, a strong Regional Ocean Plan that includes these measures is critically important.”

Action Alert on Northeast Ocean Plan from Surfrider Foundation

Surfrider Foundation has shared with us their new online petition to elected officials with suggestions on how the draft ocean plan could be improved from the perspective of the non-consumptive recreational user (swimmers, surfers, kayakers, whale watchers, etc).

Northeast Congressional Delegation Offers Bipartisan Support for the Ocean Plan!

The entire 28-member, bipartisan Northeast Congressional delegation, with representation from both the House and Senate, have sent a letter in support of the draft Northeast Ocean Plan to President Obama, urging the Administration “to ensure the regional planning board continues its public outreach and incorporates that public input into the final plan.” Read the letter at:

Draft Mid-Atlantic Ocean Action Plan Released!

The Mid-Atlantic Regional Planning Body (RPB) has just released their draft Ocean Action Plan for public review. Put it at the top of your summer reading list and then share your thoughts on the plan with the RPB! You have until September 6th to submit your comments. Everyone is encouraged to provide input, including those outside the region. With our oceans facing increasing activity and pressures, it’s important we all make our voices heard at this critical juncture.

Thu. July 14 – New Jersey Open House, 6-8pm at Monmouth University in West Long Branch, NJ

Tue. July 19 – Maryland Open House, 6-8pm at the Ocean Pines Library in Berlin, MD

Wed. July 20 – Delaware Open House, 6-8pm at Virden Retreat Center at the University of Delaware in Lewes, DE

Wed. July 27 – New York Open House, 6-8pm at Suffolk County Community College campus in Selden, NY

Insights from the Conservation Community

Overwhelmed by the thought of reading this 134-page ocean plan? Thankfully, several conservation groups have been following the development of the ocean plans all along and have offered to share their key responses to the plan with the Ocean Frontiers community, for your consideration as you prepare your own comments. Here’s what NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council), American Littoral Society, Surfrider Foundation, NY Aquarium and Wild Oceans have to say:

“Now is the time to speak up for our ocean’s health! And with offshore wind on the horizon, increased interest in mining sand to replenish our shores from sea level rise, and the Panama Canal expansion bringing colossal ships and possibly an increase in shipping traffic, our oceans are busier than ever. The draft ocean plan is a significant achievement in ocean management that can strengthen interagency coordination and public participation in offshore decisions. But there is work to do in order for the plan to ensure a healthy ocean today and in the future.

It’s important that the final plan include:

A short, definitive deadline—ideally by the end of 2016—for identifying areas critical for the long-term health of the region’s marine life. Knowing the location of ecologically important areas helps managers, business, and other stakeholders make better development decisions.

Agency commitments to conserve these ecologically important areas and identified areas of high biodiversity where more than 50 percent of the region’s fish, birds, corals, and marine mammals can be found over the course of a year. Protecting our ecologically and economically valuable ocean life should be a best practice.

Agency commitments to identify a set of objectives and indicators for ocean health to regularly evaluate whether the plan is achieving the goal of a healthy ocean and to inform decisions.”

Read & Comment on the Draft Northeast Ocean Plan

The Northeast Ocean Plan has been released in draft form, which you can download at http://neoceanplanning.org/plan. Public comments are due by July 25, 2016, and everyone – including non-US residents and those outside the region – is encouraged to provide input. Comments may be submitted:

Mid-Atlantic Ocean Plan Webinar – Date Tentative

In our last news post we mentioned a public webinar taking place on July 11th about the draft Mid-Atlantic Ocean Action Plan. Please note: the webinar date is TENTATIVE. Once it is confirmed it will be posted on the MARCO calendar – http://midatlanticocean.org/event-calendar. There you will also find details on the public meetings taking place in July.

That Wasn’t a Whale Shark!

Thanks to all of you who let us know we had mislabeled the photo in our last news post. It was actually a basking shark, filmed off the coast of Maine!

Free DVDs / Connect on Facebook & Twitter

Get your own copies of the Ocean Frontiers films to share with friends, colleagues and your community. Sign up here. Click on the links below for daily news on Ocean Frontiers, important ocean news, our partners’ work, and inspiring ocean videos.

May 25th – Draft Northeast Ocean Plan Release & Webinar

The Northeast Regional Planning Body (RPB) will release the draft Northeast Ocean Plan on May 25. Join the RPB’s webinar from 12-2pm ETto announce the plan’s release, review its contents, and go over the schedule for the 60 day comment period.Webinar registration: http://neoceanplanning.org/news/draft-plan-and-rpb-webinar-may-25

Draft Mid-Atlantic Ocean Action Plan to be Released in June 2016

The Mid-Atlantic Regional Planning Body (RPB) is due to release the draft Mid-Atlantic Ocean Action Plan at the end of June. On Monday, July 11, 2016, from 10:30am to 1:00pm, a public webinar will introduce the draft plan. Details on how to register will be posted on the websites below.

The Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean (MARCO) is hosting public meetings on the draft plan in July:

Upcoming Screenings of Ocean Frontiers II and The Great Bear Sea

2016 continues to be a busy year for events with films from the Ocean Frontiers series! Here’s a list of upcoming events in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. Get the most recent information at http://ocean-frontiers.org/find-a-screening